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| 8 & 10 cyl Bristol cars Type 407 onwards - restoration, repair, maintenance etc |
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27-04-11, 02:18 PM
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I have nothing against people who prefer what is past, I too would choose a 411 (series 4 or 5) over most cars today, but also look to the future with an eye to what will be, although I would never consider myself a revolutionary, I am just a realist, as painful to some as this may be....
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27-04-11, 04:52 PM
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May we let this thread die with the marque?
Opinions vary, but there seems to be some sort of consensus reached by both sides when it comes to the future of the company (if we can call it that).
On the one hand, the 'realists' and 'conservatives' want the company to get back to it's roots. They want sensible cars, reasonably priced, very reliable, understated and elegant in their own way. Fine. The avant garde group want modern, high-powered, outrageous cars that specialists have built for ages; truly unique examples of the latest, greatest technology available. Sure, but all these things fade, just like fashion, and many big companies have tried this route. I can name BMW, Jaguar, even Mercedes building some truly awesom cars. The market fades more rapidly than the companies can recover the R & D costs, let alone make a profit. So, who is right? Are there many Bristol followers out there that would consider buying stock in Bristol, if it was offered. I wonder. The American auto industry has seen their fortunes fade, and like Great Brittain, the government attempted to keep them afloat. Guess what? Failure. OK, maybe it is time to admit that the market will not sustain a 'boutique' product like the Bristol, the Aston, and any other make you care to add to the list. |
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27-04-11, 08:30 PM
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I am not so pessimistic. The market sustains even a lot of boutique products from small manufacturers, not just in the automotive sector. It is just a question of the right marketing and the right cost management.
Regards, Markus |
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27-04-11, 09:07 PM
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Marketing and other stratagies for Bristol
You are right, and many small companies stay open and operating, and a lot of their success is dependent upon what we call 'hands-on' in the business. I have found in my own 4 business adventures that you cannot operate them at 'arms-length' unless you want to deliberately run them at a loss. I did that of course, for tax reasons in some cases. But to just 'invest', with hopes of some return is pure folly. I suspect a lot of that took place in Bristol's case. Same goes for David Brown and the Aston saga. There has to be a personal interest in the business. No one will run your business for you like you would yourself.
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27-04-11, 09:31 PM
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The problem with Aston Martin in the David Brown era was that the profit margins were far too low or even non-existent.
The cars were expensive but they were not expensive enough to recoup production costs. Hand-built products can never be cheap, there is no way around that. Companies like Bristol, Wiesmann, Pagani or whoever can only survive in the high-price sector. There is absolutely no point in trying to compete with mass producers in lower price regions. There are enough examples of companies failing exactly because of such attempts. Regards, Markus |
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28-04-11, 01:41 AM
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i remember a story concerning a well-heeled individual who, upon ordering his DB5, i think, demanded that he be charged at 'cost' for hir car, to his dismay he was informed that the car cost £1,000 more to build than Aston were selling it for! And people wonder why they went bust....
I think that in todays world compromise is required, and for me, if Bristol need to build a few 'flashy' cars to generate the income to develope their 'traditional' models, 30 years over due in my mind, then so be it (this is what Ferrucio Lamborghini had in mind when he built the Muira, and had the Peruvian deal not gone sour, Lamborghini might still be creating gloriously tasteful supercars, like the 350GT & Espada, rather than phallic extensions for those with more money than taste... |
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28-04-11, 03:06 PM
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Bristols, Maseratis, and others
To be fair, I now believe all of this is water under the bridge. If the new owners decide to put the Bristol name on an electric car, then we can all turn the page and enjoy what few old cars are left and cherish them for what they are (were).
For years, I had lusted after a Maserati Mistral, and they were cheap by most standards back then, and I am sure they did not make serious money on any on their cars. Maserati hung on for years, being handed off several times to different buyers. Their turbo, upright, boxy sedans/coupes were the final nail in the coffin. They tried to reach a lower-priced market and paid the price. Not enough to just put your name on something. Somewhere, out there, there must be a few individuals who would like to make Bristols for fun, and not necessarily for profit. Please join me in prayer........................... |
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28-04-11, 04:11 PM
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What do you mean by "final nail"? Maserati had a glorious renaissance after the De Tomaso/Biturbo period with the 3200 coupé under the new owner Ferrari/Fiat and has become an established and respected brand again.
Regards, Markus |
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28-04-11, 06:09 PM
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Maseratis
Well,they fell off the map over here, and I have not heard a thing about them since they were 'saved' again.
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28-04-11, 07:17 PM
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Yep - I love the Maserati 4 door, really nice interior and colours -- I wish Bristol had made something similar.
Maybe they will soon ! - everything is still possible and no fat lady's are singing. What a lot of fellow Bristol owners don't know is that I manage a "think tank" that provide progressive innovative ideas to a number of industries and we are working hard on commercial strategies for the Frazer Bristol brand. There is every reason to be exited and optimistic for the future in all areas, for old sagging Bristols and new pert designs. Not just electric hybrid but wind , solar, steam and dark matter magnetic kineteics are all virtualy ready for release. One of our recovering members ( Paul Wilson ) had a failing electrical goods repair shop only a few years ago and was living at the Filton YMCA until the "think tank" were brought in to help ! He now drives the best Bristol ( arguably ) on the road and is chalenging companies such as Binatone in the electronic note pad markets ! I have offered Bill and Kate the loan of my Beaufighter for the wedding doo tomorrow, so this should help get the brand back into public focus. We all just need to pull together. ( and be realistic with our comments ) *REVISION* My colleague has brought it to my attention that Paul was not in fact residing at the Filton YMCA.He was in fact only leading the "Village People" tribute band along with my friend Arthur S -- apologies for any confusion. Last edited by GREG; 28-04-11 at 07:56 PM. Reason: ! |
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28-04-11, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
P |
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29-04-11, 01:16 PM
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Quote:
It's a shame that Bill and Kate resorted to using the traditional coach for the wedding today instead of the Beaufighter I offered, but T. Crook slept in and Arthur couldn't / didn't pass security clearance as the back up driver. Nevertheless , the germ of the idea is already there for future Royal precessions to all be in electric carriage vehicles -- all provided by Frazer Bristol. I am swelling with pride ! - I think |
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